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Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf

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Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 1 hour + 20 minutes (including time to rest)
METHOD: Oven
OTHER TOOLS: Sheet pan and parchment paper
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 8

This classic meatloaf recipe might be your most versatile one yet! It’s gluten-free and simple enough to make for a quick weeknight dinner. Juicy slices and BBQ flavors make a tasty main course to enjoy with your favorite sides!

Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf served with mashed potatoes

What’s To Love About This Recipe

  • Sticking to a gluten-free diet does not mean missing out on your favorite meals! With simple swaps in your pantry, it’s easy to recreate classic recipes that are just as delicious – if not better. My family actually prefers this version to the original!
  • This meatloaf recipe won’t require lots of prep time. It is really simple and straightforward to make.
  • With an easy ingredient list, you could customize the dish depending on what else you will serve with it.
  • Meatloaf is an underrated meal that is ideal for a simple, healthy family dinner. A leftover slice portioned with some sides would make the perfect, balanced weekday lunch.

Ingredients Needed

  • Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs – Panko is typically made from dried white bread, but gluten-free panko includes a combination of rice flour and other starches. Soaked panko is the best mix-in for gluten-free meatloaf, and it only needs to soak for 5 minutes or so.
  • Milk – Milk soaks the breadcrumbs, which allows them to form a paste-like texture that holds the ingredients together. 
  • Ground beef – Ground beef is the traditional meatloaf choice! You do want a little added fat for extra flavor and juiciness. I recommend choosing a lean-to-fat percentage such as 80/20 or 85/15. 
  • Ground pork – Adding in a second meat provides more flavor and juicier texture to the meatloaf. You can opt for more ground beef or ground turkey if you like.
  • Eggs – Use the eggs to bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the meatloaf.
  • Seasonings – I like adding convenient all-purpose seasoning to enhance the flavor, but you could also mix up your own at home. Don’t forget to add just a bit of extra salt!
  • BBQ sauce – You can really customize the meatloaf here depending on what type of BBQ sauce you choose (i.e., sweet, smoky, tangy, hickory-flavored, etc.). Be sure to check labels for a gluten-free choice!
1/4 cup gluten free panko breadcrumbs 1/4 cup milk dairy free if you prefer 1 pounds ground beef 1 pound ground pork 2 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce gluten-free on counter

How To Make Gluten Free Meatloaf

  1. Mix panko and milk and set aside for 5 minutes.
Mixed panko and milk
  1. Mix ground beef, ground pork, seasonings, egg, and soaked panko in a bowl until just combined.
  1. Place the mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and shape it into a loaf with your hands.
Groud meat formed into meatloaf on parchment paper
  1. Bake at 350 ℉ for 30 minutes.
  2. Brush BBQ sauce over the meatloaf and return it to the oven for 20-30 more minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf and sauce being brushed on top
  1. Let meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf served and sliced on dish
Pro Tips
  • The breadcrumbs should be fully soaked before adding them to the meat. Add more milk as needed so they are thoroughly saturated.
  • Line the sheet pan with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
  • Ensure your sheet pan has a deep lip to contain grease or place it on a second larger sheet to catch any spills.
  • Check all seasoning and sauce labels to ensure this dish is completely gluten-free.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • Swap the ground pork with more beef or ground turkey if desired, but note that any changes may alter your cooking times. Check the meatloaf temperature for doneness after 15 minutes in the final step.
  • Other gluten-free options for a binder can include finely crushed tortilla chips, crushed crackers, or breadcrumbs from toasted bread. Each alternative will vary with how much milk is required to saturate it fully, so you might need to experiment a bit!
  • To make this recipe dairy-free, use an alternative such as unsweetened almond or oat milk.
  • Vary the BBQ sauce based on dietary needs, such as sugar-free or reduced sodium, or choose different spice levels. You might also prefer a smoky sauce vs. a sweeter sauce!
Close up of Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf smothered in sauce

What To Serve With Gluten Free Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a dish that works with lots of options! You could serve it simply with a quick tossed salad and garlic bread, or opt for hot homemade sides.

Of course, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are a great choice, or a low-carb friendly option like Dairy-Free Mashed Cauliflower. Add some Sauteed Carrots or go all out with Creamy White Cheddar Mac And Cheese.

Watch gluten-free meatloaf become your next menu staple for delicious meals at home!

Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf served with meatloaf

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover meatloaf in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. I recommend slicing it before storing to make it even easier to heat up. Add a slice to a skillet or the microwave to reheat.

This will also freeze well to enjoy later! Porton into individual servings and add to airtight freezer bags (with all air removed) or an airtight container. Defrost, reheat, and enjoy with extra sauce as desired.

Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf

Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf served with mashed potatoes
This classic meatloaf recipe might be your most versatile one yet! It’s gluten-free and simple enough to make for a quick weeknight dinner. Juicy slices and BBQ flavors make a tasty main course to enjoy with your favorite sides!
Jennifer Draper
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Serving Size 8

Equipment

  • Sheet pan
  • Parchment paper

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup gluten free panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk dairy free if you prefer
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
  • 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce gluten-free gluten-free

Instructions

  • Mix panko and milk and set aside for 5 minutes
  • Mix ground beef, ground pork, seasonings, egg, and soaked panko in a bowl until just combined
  • Place mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and shape into a loaf with your hands
  • Bake at 350 ℉ for 30 minutes
  • Brush BBQ sauce over meatloaf and return to oven for 20-30 more minutes or until it reaches internal temperature of 165 ℉
  • Let meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing

Notes

  • Store leftover meatloaf in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze individual slices in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat with extra sauce as desired.
  • Meatloaf is done when it reaches internal temperature of 165 ℉.
  • Ensure all seasoning, sauces, etc., are gluten-free if needed.
  • Add additional milk as needed to ensure the breadcrumbs are fully soaked before adding to the meat.

Gluten Free Meatloaf FAQs 

  • What would cause meatloaf to fall apart? Meatloaf falls apart when it doesn’t have a proper binder. If you soak the breadcrumbs and measure your ratios carefully (per the recipe), then the meatloaf will not crumble apart. Be sure that the breadcrumbs are fully saturated, and let the meatloaf cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
  • How do you know when meatloaf is done? Meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉. Use a meat thermometer to check.
  • Should meatloaf be covered when cooking? No, the meatloaf does not need to be covered while baking.
  • How do you keep meatloaf from drying out? I prefer not to use super lean meat as some fat enhances the flavor and prevents the meatloaf from getting dry and crumbly.

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